London commissioning group plans to restrict cataract surgery to “exceptional” cases

NHS patients in part of southeast London may be prevented from having their cataracts removed unless their cases are “exceptional,” under cost cutting proposals from care commissioners.

Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group is consulting on plans to restrict access to cataract surgery and 12 other surgical procedures as part of efforts to save up to £500 000 (€590 000; $620 000). The CCG also wants to restrict access to routine elective and planned surgery for smokers and obese people to help reduce its financial deficit.

But the plans were condemned by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), which warned that they would harm patients.